Life's like that..................

My husband returned today after a week-end working away.  Discussing the work he had been doing in Belfast he said it was possibly the most stressful time he can remember during his employment with the company and that has been over ten years!  Nothing went right; he spent sleepless nights, literally, with colleagues trying to resolve endless problems and at times there seemed no light at the end of the tunnel.  He felt quite low, frustrated and to top it all he was miles from home.  If you knew my husband you would know it takes a lot and I mean a lot to dampen his spirits

We hadn't been able to touch base with each other fully as we were pretty occupied this end as well!  In the end he said he was just walking at one point and having a conversation with the Lord in order to get some inspiration.  Finally, last night he began to experience a breakthrough...................

Life's like that isn't it.  Despite our best efforts things don't always go to plan or we are let down in one way or another.  Thank goodness that our heavenly Father is there to walk alongside us, there to pick up the pieces of our frustrations, there to cushion our weary heads, to hold on tight when we feel like letting go.  What an absolute privilege to belong to him.

Well together my hubby and I shared our week-end tales, but more than than any thing else it was soon forgotten by the breadth of the smiles and warmth of the embraces that greeted him, both from his crew as well as our visiting choir family.  Things didn't seem so bad after all and for this (day 126) I offer up my heart felt thanks to the One who deserves it.

Can't take this away........................

There are experiences in life that are meant to change you, tonight's was one of them and you know what I don't get it! 

We were ministered to by a group of wonderful children from Uganda.  These children had been orphaned through the most devastating circumstances and then abandoned by relatives unable to care for them.  That's not to say there are not children in this country who have experienced similar trauma in their lives because, sadly there are.  To human eyes these children from the Watoto orphanage have all reason to be bitter and not angry towards the hand they had been dealt.  Instead they smile with a smile that comes from within, sing and dance with a joy that no one can take away.  That's what I don't get.  Yet I do...................... what they have comes from only one source and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.  That was their message tonight, not one of self pity, but gratitude, immense gratitude to a life that is full of hope, love, acceptance and peace.

Bebe & Cece Winans summed it up their song 'Can't take this away'

Love so beautiful, love so wonderful
Its mine, oh yes, it's mine
Can't take this away
Love so marvellous, found to be the best
It's mine, mine
Can't take this away

It is true isn't it; no one can take God's joy away from you once you have accepted Jesus into your heart and that really is the explanation behind what I witnessed tonight!  Tonight (day 125) I am privileged and thankful to have been there.

Treasures of my heart..............

Imagine my surprise or was it shock at waking up this morning and the time was nearly midday!  I was a little disorientated to be honest and all was reasonably quiet.  Hubby in Belfast, check, kiddies............. ?  Now I'm sure I've mentioned before that Gracie is more often than not the first up in our household, an early riser so my immediate thoughts were focused on her whereabouts!  Had she decided to join her brother in his room for an early morning natter.  However, no sooner had my feet awoken the creaky bedroom floorboards than the heavy galloping of my two babes came bounding into the room.

They had left me to have a lie in because they knew I had worked until late the previous night.  Together they had been playing together downstairs,  Aaron had taken care of a light breakfast (yogurt and milkshake) for them both and assumed the role of 'man of the house', well he is third in line!

What treasures they are, what a thoughtful gesture and timely too.  I felt much refreshed and ready to tackle the busy day ahead and for that I am truly thankful today (day 124).

keep calm...........keep going

Somewhat bleary eyed after only a smidgen of sleep I awoke and sighed heavily; it was going to be a long dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!  I allowed my public face to sing ' hip hip hooray, it's Friday and soon we'll be having a mini holiday (in my books a week-end could be classified as such), but inside I was having private conversations with myself about how I would indeed do all that I had scheduled to do today, both at school and home.  It didn't paint a pretty picture.  One thing I've come to know in such situations is to 'keep calm, keep going and let God do the rest. 

Being in a state of constant gratitude really helps in such situations; I just found myself thanking God for everything: for the strength to wake up after only a few hours sleep; for my Gracie who made me toast as I scurried around before leaving for school; for my husband who despite several days of very little sleep (due to work deadlines) and a busy day ahead still took the time to make my morning cuppa and sandwich; for the teaching assistant who made my morning with her complimentary sentiments; for my class who made me smile all day and for my Aaron & Gracie who have decided to keep me company, in bed, in Daddy's absence........................so much to be thankful for today (day 123).

Today's schedule remains a rather long list with only a few items crossed off, but that's ok, tomorrow's another day.

Team work.................

This year I have been incredibly blessed by the year 4 team I work in.  My teaching assistant Liz is just a gem.  From the moment she enters the classroom the work starts.  Nothing is ever too much for her, even at times when her back is playing up she just soldiers on. Equally, my partner teacher helped to make my transition back into full time teaching a most pleasurable one.  It meant that although physically it was quite an adjustment and my workload doubled I found I enjoyed and embraced it from the start of the academic session.

Hitting the ground running is something we do in the teaching profession and the running picks up momentum during the course of the year until we reach the finish line in July.  So often we forget to stop, just for a short while and spend quality time getting to know each other and that's what we did tonight.  It was magic!  Nothing fancy, just fabulous, fun fellowship.

We all, the four of us, agreed that we are a privileged bunch who feel blessed to have been put together in a team; a team where everyone is appreciated, uplifted, valued; a team that laughs far too much (if that's possible); a team that utilises each others skills to the benefit all.

I know that this is not always the situation in work relationships and do not take it for granted for one second and so today (day 122) give my praises to Him and say 'Thank You'.

Rain rain you've come again, but we still got to play!

Now with the amount of rain we have this week it is clear to me that my summer sandals will have to remain in the closet a little longer!  At school it has meant that the children have not been able to play outside, but instead have had to amuse themselves inside with wet play games.  This is not by any means ideal because we like them to run around, get air into their lungs and burn off some energy.  Nonetheless I was at my desk, sipping a cuppa and couldn't help but be drawn to observe the banter and play that was going on.  In pairs or small groups they drew pictures (some for me), read to each other, talked, sang songs that we used to sing and made the best of the situation.  They were not perturbed by the fact that they had not been out to play once this week, nor were they grumbling.

Later on after dinner I watched my younger two playing snakes and ladders as it was too wet to go on the trampoline .  Now although Gracie has someway to go to understand the concept 'it's only a game' they played together harmoniously.  They too talked, sang songs and made their own fun, fun that continued through bath-time until it was their quiet reading time.

There are times in our lives when grey skies seem to hover far longer than we'd like them to but Today (day 121) I was reminded that God's goodness continues, even on rainy, grey days, we just have to be more creative, but no less appreciative.  After all we know that when the sun does make a post rain appearance a glorious rainbow greets us!

A privileged position................

Today has been something of a whirlwind, much to do and not enough time to do it all and a poorly babe too, but to Him be all the glory.

There is nothing more distressing than when your babies are poorly and today my Gracie was feeling a little under the weather; headache and temperature, but she didn't want to miss school at all! Her dad and I convinced her to stay at home, rest and see the doctor later. She cried and clung on to me and asked me to stay with her. I reminded her that her daddy would be with her. Still somewhat distressed I left her in the loving and most capable hands of her father and left for school. As you can imagine I had a most unsettled morning, but thankfully the nature of my job meant I was pretty occupied until lunchtime when I headed back home to see how Gracie was doing. Her delight at seeing me was priceless as was my delight at seeing that she felt a little better.

Being a parent is a privileged position that I am full of gratitude to have been appointed to. What other position in life would afford you endless kisses and hugs, unlimited admiration and love. Now I love quotes and could not resist sharing a few with you about this wonderful thing called motherhood and boy am I thankful I am one, three times over!

Life began with waking up and loving my mother's face.......... George Elliot, English novelist

Mother is the name of God in the lips and hearts of children...... William Makepeace Thackeray, English novelist

A mother is she who can take the place of all others.................... Cardinal Mermillod

The strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws....... Barbara Kingsolver

A mother understands what a child does not say......... Jewish proverb

I am blessed and thankful today (day 120) for such an honour as that of being a mother.